Rick Dangerous
Platform: Commodore 64
Gametype: Undefined
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Description 

Rick Dangerous is a Jump 'n' Run game, where you need to get Rick through four levels with altogether 80 rooms, that are larded with numerous (74) different traps and enemies. You can lay down explosives to bomb away enemies or boulders, shoot with a pistol or "freeze" the enemies for a few seconds with the help of a wooden stick, which although in most cases is not much help. The shots and explosives are each limited to 6. However, you can find boxes of ammunition in hideouts to refill them. 

The case history, (Rick, the fearless adventurer is searching for the lost Goolu temple, which he will find, but not in the way he had imagined), was enclosed as a comic. The scans can be found on the C64-Games website under "Manual". 

Interestingly there are some similarities between Rick Dangerous and the known Tomb Raider series. The producer is Core Design and also the plot (archaeologist searches for artefact) is similar. 

The successor Rick Dangerous II is - concerning the controls and the game principle - very similar to part 1, but plays in a futuristic scenario. 

The game starts with a small introduction. The graphics of the caves are done neatly, the sprites partly seem a bit bold. The scrolling is a bit unusual. Only when Rick gets close to the rim of the screen, the screen scrolls for about half a screen in the corresponding direction. During this time the movement of all sprites gets "frozen". Sound and music are only sparsely used. The combination of the traps are sometimes a bit mean, as they cannot be seen beforehand. Pixel exact jumping and good timing are necessary. At the end of each level a small puzzle awaits you. 

 Equipment 

The dynamite can be layed down to release traps, bomb away walls, blow up enemies or in general cause damage so Rick can continue his adventure. But beware: As soon as it has been lighted, Rick must quickly take to his heels before it detonates. At the start Rick has 6 bars of dynamite. 

The pistol is to be used for shooting (what else for?). However, the magazine only holds 6 shots. When shooting a villain sometimes a bonus is lef behind, that fills the magazine up. This can mean that Rick needs to get back to the scene of action. Remember that shooting the pistol could activate a trap in some situations and can harm you more than an enemy. 

 Traps 

Try to avoid the traps cleverly, because they are deceptive. You never can tell beforehand how a trap can be activated or avoided. So be careful as in many cases appearances are deceptive. 

 Controls 

 /  Pressing the joystick left/right makes Rick walk into the corresponding direction 
 /  Pressing the joystick diagonally up left/right releases a jump in the corresponding direction. 
 Pressing the joystick backwards makes Rick duck 
 /  Pressing the joystick diagonally back left/right makes Rick creep on the floor in the corresponding direction. 

 /  Pressing the joystick left/right together with the fire button makes Rick use his stick (lame enemies, press buttons) 
 Joystick forwards and pressing fire button makes Rick fire his pistol in viewing direction 
 Joystick backwards and pressing fire button makes Rick ignite and lay down the dynamite 

 Run/Stop  pause on/off 

↑  end game and restart 

Tips 

 The enemies and traps always appear at the same place with the same effect. 
 At the end of the fourth level the selector block at the middle of the screen needs to be blown up to open the exit and to end the game. 
 Draw or get a map. 

 Cheats 

The version by "Remember" has next to a saveable highscore list also different trainers as invulnerability, unlimited dynamite, etc. 

 Miscellaneous 

 The first action in level 1 somehow reminds of a certain Jones ...

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Description from the packaging  (US) :

He's heavily armed, rigorously trained, and highly motivated...
He's got a six-shooter, "some dynamite" and a big stick.
He's up against Amazon tribesmen, Nazi agents, ruthless assassins and other assorted bad guys. And he has to dodge rampaging boulders, poison blowdarts and deadly pits at every turn. No wonder he can't get decent life insurance.

He's a desperate hero for desperate people. He's also the most fun you'll ever have at your computer.
His name is Rick Dangerous. There's a little of him in all of us.
Fast-moving, challenging, light-hearted action and adventure for computer gamers of all ages!
Lead Rick through four perilous missions on over 100 action-packed screens, each requiring lightning reflexes, intelligent reactions and split-second decisions.
Humorous graphics, music and sound effects.
You control Rick as he...
Battles hostile tribesmen in an Amazon temple!
Dodges persistent assassins in an Egyptian pyramid!
Liberates prisoners from a fortified castle!
Saves the free world by destroying a Nazi missile base!


http://www.c64-wiki.com/index.php/Rick_Dangerous
